Avaliação da eficiência de pontas de ultrassom usada e adaptada na remoção de retentores metálicos

Abstract

This study evaluated in vitro the efficiency of used and adapted ultrasonic tips in the removal of metal retainers. Methods: Forty maxillary canines received Ni-Cr alloy fused metal retainers fixed with zinc phosphate cement. Group I - without ultrasonic vibration, Group II - with ultrasonic vibration using the ST – 09 new tip, Group III - with the ST - 09 used tip (used in 10 previous procedures) and Group IV - with ST – 09 adapted tip fitted with stone mounted. Groups II, III and IV received ultrasonic vibration for one minute with ENAC (Osada Eletric Co., Tokyo, Japan) at maximum frequency. The tensile test was performed on all specimens in the Universal Testing Machine with a speed of 1 mm/min, obtaining values in Newton, the data statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey Test (p <0.05). RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences between the groups tested (control group = 472,641 N, new tip = 213,329 N, used tip = 408,185 N and adapted tip = 348,292 N). The lowest mean tensile strength was found in the group where the ultrasonic vibration was applied with the new tip followed by the adapted tip. The results show that the new tip reduces the tensile force required to remove the post cast. Conclusion: The change of the metallic structure of the ultrasonic tip interferes in the ultrasonic efficiency.